WELCOME BACK Following a COVID-19 canceled 2020 season, UMD football is back and ready for their first game since Nov. 16, 2019. After nearly a two year layoff, the Bulldogs will have to shake the rust off in week 1 at Upper Iowa.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION In their preseason poll, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) ranked UMD as the No. 23 team in the country. The Bulldogs are one of just two teams from the NSIC to earn a ranking. Minnesota St.- Mankato earned the No. 2 spot in the national poll. UMD and Mankato will face off in week two of the regular season in Duluth. Two other NSIC schools earned recognition. Both Augustana (S.D.) and Sioux Falls (S.D.) received votes but found themselves on the outside of the top 25. All eyes will be on the Bulldogs in the early going.
VETERAN LEADERSHIP Given the canceled 2020 campaign, the NCAA has awarded players an extra year of eligibility. With the new ruling, the Bulldogs will be returning four, 5th- year redshirt seniors. Quarterback John Larson, wide receiver Johnny McCormick, linebacker Nate Pearson, and defensive end Dan Monson will all be tasked with leading a young UMD roster. On offensive side of the ball, Larson and McCormick will look to reignite the Bulldogs. In 2018, the Bulldogs posted an impressive 40.83 points per game, while also notching an average of 446.8 yards per game. The strong offensive showing helped UMD to an overall record of 11-1. Larson and McCormick had plenty to do with the offensive explosion. On defense, both Pearson and Monson have paid their dues. Together, the two defenders have tallied a total of 148 tackles and 40 tackles for loss. The four players bring a total of 106 games of experience to the UMD lineup. The veterans will be crucial during the Bulldogs return to the field.
SEEKING REVENGE Though Upper Iowa posted just a 2-9 record during the 2019 season, the Peacocks did pull a 23-13 upset victory over the Bulldogs during that year. Looking for some payback, UMD will attempt to win their first game of the year on the road, something they've accomplished the past two seasons. Though the polls would suggest the Bulldogs are the favorite, UMD cannot take the Peacocks lightly.
POWER UPFRONT UMD offensive lineman Brent Laing was been named to the 2022 Senior Bowl Watch list. The 6-4, 285-pound Laing has been a mainstay on the Bulldogs offensive front for the past two seasons. Laing appeared in ten games during both the 2018 and 2019 seasons. UMD's impressive offensive statistics in 2018 and 2019 were due in large part to the work of Laing on the offensive line.
STILL THE FAVORITE UMD has claimed at least a share of the NSIC North Division Championship for 12-straight seasons. In early August, the conference ranked the Bulldogs No. 1 in the NSIC North Preseason Coaches' Poll. With tough divisional games against Bemidji State and MSU Moorhead, the Bulldogs will certainly have to earn their 13th-consecutive divisional title.
OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN For the 2021 season, five Bulldogs will serve as team captains. Johnny McCormick, Zach Ojile, Dan Monson, John Larson, and Nate Pearson will all wear the "C" for UMD. For Larson and McCormick, it'll be the second straight season that the two have been named team captains. For the senior Ojile, the new role will bring additional leadership to the UMD running back core.
OUR LAST TIME OUT The last time the Bulldogs took the field was Nov. 16, 2019 in Aberdeen, SD. UMD tallied a 48-10 victory over Northern State University to close out the 2019 season with an 8-3 record. In that game, Bulldogs QB John Larson threw for an impressive 388 yards and five TDs. On the defensive side of the ball, UMD linebacker Joe Kordus recorded a solid seven tackles, three TFL, and one sack.
THREE'S A STREAK UMD finished the 2019 season on a three-game win-streak. During those three contests, the Bulldogs outscored their opponents by a whopping 170-17. The run incuded a 63-0 victory over Minnesota Crookston, a 59-7 win over UMary, and the previously mentioned 48- 10 W over Northern State. During the 2019 season, UMD began the year with four straight wins. If the 2021 Bulldogs are to punch their ticket to the NCAA tournament, they will certainly look for a quick start.
EXPERIENCE AT RUNNING BACK Returning 5th-year running back Cazz Martin will be a key contributor in the offensive success for UMD in 2021. As a transfer in 2019, Martin led the Bulldogs in both rushing yards with 662, and rushing touchdowns with seven. Additionally, Martin posted an impressive average yards per carry of 8.7 yards. Backup running back Wade Sullivan also returns after a productive 2019 season with UMD. During all eleven games in 2019, Sullivan tallied a total of 646 yards and six rushing touchdowns on the year. The two-headed monster of Martin and Sullivan will take some of the pressure off of the passing game and will UMD more options.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS Coming off of a 2-9 season, the Peacocks look to change the culture of their program. New Head Coach Jason Hoskins will be tasked with rebuilding the Upper Iowa program. Upper Iowa's last winning season came in 2017 when the Peacocks posted an overall 6-5 record. UIU will start freshman quarterback TJ Smith, who was named the Riddell Florida Player of the Year back in high school. At the running back position, fellow freshman Willy Camacho gets the start for the Peacocks. The experienced UMD defensive front will pose a unique challenge for the young Peacock offense. On defense, Upper Iowa has experience in the trenches. Specifically, senior defensive lineman Laith Smith returns with 19 games of collegiate experience under his belt. In 2019, Smith posted 34 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and forced one fumble. If Upper Iowa wants to get a win on opening night, Smith will be a crucial factor on the defensive line.
LET'S GO DANCING AGAIN The road to the a NCAA Tournament birth begins on Thursday in Iowa. After failing to qualify for the tournament in 2019, UMD is poised and ready to make the climb back. A tough early season road victory could give UMD the confidence they need to make another run.
CONFIDENCE IN THE MATCHUP Historically, the Bulldogs have controlled the the series against Upper Iowa, posting a 7-1 record all-time.
